1. Religion is…
the service or worship of God or the supernatural - Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary
a specific system of faith and worship – Oxford English Dictionary
a set of symbolic forms and acts which relate man to the ultimate condition of his existence – Robert Bellah

2. Religion is…
Beliefs, attitudes, emotions, behavior, etc., constituting man’s relationship with the powers and principles of the universe – Reader’s Digest Great Encyclopedic Dictionary
Belief in and/or worship of God or gods – World Book Dictionary

3. Religion is…
Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe; a personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship – YourDictionary.com

4. Religion is…
[the seeking] of divine truth, exploring who we are, why we’re here, and how we should live - Joel Beversluis, ed., Sourcebook of the world’s Religions
belief that there is an unseen order, and that our supreme good lies in harmoniously adjusting ourselves thereto – William James

5. Who wants to know? The common folk (you and me) Philosophers
Sociologists
Theologians
Anthropologists
Psychologists
Historians
Critics
Everyone’s got an agenda and a limited perspective that will influence how they perceive religion

6. Criteria for Defining Religion
Avoid a biased definition
Avoid a definition that is too limited
Avoid a definition that is too broad
Have a definition that is fairly comprehensive of the multiple dimensions of religion
Consider both the substance and function of religion

7. Definitions can be…
Biased, revealing a positive or negative judgment or perspective toward religion:
“an infantile dependency, a neurosis” (Sigmund Freud)
“the opium of the people” (Karl Marx)
Both of these statements are criticisms and judgments based on a negative perspective of the value of religion.

8. Definitions can be… Too narrow or limited (exclusive):
“a specific system of belief in God, doctrines, etc. God’s relation to humanity and the universe” (Western/Christian bias)
Religion is a lot more than just belief
There are many systems generally considered to be “religions” that do not fit with this definition (they do not believe in or relate to a god or gods) (use more generic language)

9. Definitions can be… Too broad or inclusive:
“a system of beliefs and practices directed to the ultimate concern of society”
Are economic or political systems “religions”?
What kind of “ultimate concern”? What kind of beliefs? What kind of practices?
Definitions that are too general (generic) may not be very useful
Definitions should be sufficiently specific

10. What comes to mind when you hear the word “religion”?
Cluster Definitions
Definitions should be fairly comprehensive of the multiple dimensions of religion
Identify several “familial” traits shared by many religions…
What comes to mind when you hear the word “religion”?
Brainstorm
Pair & share
Group & share

11. Religions share…
Belief in a higher power (be it a person or principle)
Surrender to the supreme power
An ethic of reciprocity (the Golden Rule)
Worship (prayer or other such practices)
Belief in the human spirit (soul)
Belief in other worlds (beyond life in this world, afterlife, reincarnation, etc.)
Paths to God that can effect a positive change in human lives
- Pope John Paul II Cultural Center “Gallery of Faith”

12. Cluster Definitions
Do not insist that every religion must share every trait in common
May include traits shared by non-religious systems
Tend to suggest that the more traits a given system involves, the more likely we can consider it a “religion”; the fewer traits a given system shares the less likely we may be to consider it a “religion”

13. Seven Dimensions of Religion
Practical/Ritual (religious practice)
Experiential/Emotional
Narrative/Mythic (sacred stories)
Doctrinal/Philosophical (beliefs, theology)
Ethical/Legal (moral code)
Social/Institutional
Material (sacred objects, structures, places)
- Ninian Smart

14. Ways of Understanding Religion
Substantive or essentialist definitions characterize religion by some basic essence which is common to all religious systems, but not to any non-religious systems. They say what religion is (nouns):
“Belief in invisible superhuman power together with feelings and practices that flow from such a belief “

15. Ways of Understanding Religion
Functionalist definitions focus on the way religion operates or functions in human life. They say what religion does (verbs):
“A set of beliefs and practices which serve to subordinate us to something superior or holy in order to justify the events that control our lives”

16. Religion is… Both Substantive and Functional:
“a system of belief and worship which usually incorporates a code of ethics. Religion fulfills the human need for a relationship with the creative, spiritual force of the universe.” - Pope John Paul II Cultural Center “Gallery of Faith”
A definition that incorporates several aspects of substance as well as function tends to be more comprehensive

17. Religion is…
…the seeking of transcendent meaning that gives our lives value and puts us in touch with the deeper currents of existence... Religion helps people to cultivate an appreciation of the holiness of humanity and teaches us to respect the sacredness of life and the world.
- Karen Armstrong, Battle for God, pp

18. The “Gray” Area Is it or is it not a “religion”? The Nacirema?
Secular Humanism?
Confucianism?
Communism?
Is it or is it not a “religion”?
How can we make a determination?

19. Which Comes First?
Deductive reasoning: begin with a definition and see if the system fits
Inductive reasoning: compare and contrast a variety of systems provisionally considered “religious” and “non-religious” and then draw some conclusions to arrive at a definition:
What do most (if not all) “religions” have in common? What is it that makes something a “religion”?

20. Review Bias (perspective/agenda) Narrow/biased Broad/vague
Cluster/Multidimensional
Substantive
Functionalist
Inductive
Deductive

21. A “working” definition
“Religion is a system of activities and beliefs directed toward that which is perceived to be of sacred value and transforming power”
Is this definition:
Biased? (in what way?)
Too limited? (why?)
Too broad or vague? (why?)
Comprehensive?
Substantive? (where?)
Functionalist? (where?)

22. Another “Working” Definition
“Religion is a set of beliefs that spark the formation of communities of faith which act out those beliefs in order to heal themselves and our broken world”
Is this definition:
Biased? (in what way?)
Too limited? (why?)
Too broad or vague? (why?)
Comprehensive?
Substantive? (where?)
Functionalist? (where?)

23. Defining Religion Resources